A peek behind the iron curtain

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich does everything he can to avoid the spotlight.

He doesn’t make it any easier on himself by winning a ton of games, while fascinating observers with one of the more unique personalities in professional sports.

Despite limited to no participation on his part, Popovich has been the subject of a pair of profiles: Joe Posnanski’s recent piece for NBC Sports, and one by Jack McCallum that will run in this week’s Sports Illustrated.

Tom James was not thrilled that I was doing the story. On the one hand, he knows that Popovich deserves the attention, and, as a p.r. man, it is his job to get attention – positive if possible – to the Spurs. On the other hand, he was the one who had to tell Pop: “McCallum is coming anyway.”

But he’s a pro and he knows the deal. This isn’t China. You can write stories about people even if they don’t want them written. “Pop will be difficult,” said Tom, “but you’re welcome to come and I’ll help you in any way I can.”

My hope, of course, was that Pop would change his mind and talk, but one had to prepare in case he didn’t. That means talking to more people about him than usual, which presents opportunities that can more than compensate for a silent subject. Fortunately, Pop’s influence is far-reaching. There were many candidates.